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364-1143-00L 2 Credits DR D-MTEC
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Writing and Publishing Research Papers in Applied Economics

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Michael Siegenthaler
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:07:29

Abstract

The success of economic research depends on the way researchers present it to readers. This course provides practical insights on how to structure, frame, and present applied economic research papers by discussing and analyzing well-crafted economic research papers in a reading group. It also provides practical tips on the publication process in economics and involves small writing assignments.

Objective

This course aims to help Ph.D. students effectively frame, organize, and present their research papers through in-class discussions on how successful economists write their research papers. It also helps Ph.D. students to better navigate through the peer review and refereeing process in economics. It is not a writing course in academic English (see 363-1063-00L instead). The course focuses on the structure and presentation of applied economics papers, including data visualization. It assumes that students have the necessary English writing skills. The course involves small writing assignments in-between course weeks, which help students to incorporate what they have learned into their own project(s).

Content

The writing and framing of a research paper is an essential and often undervalued skill for quantitative economists. Because economists often want to learn an economic “story,” crafting an oral and written communication strategy for a research paper may be as important as the analysis itself. This colloquium provides Ph.D. students with insights into the often-implicit Dos and Don’ts of writing and publishing research papers in applied economics. What should I put in the abstract? How do I structure the introduction? What is my contribution, and how can I frame it as broadly as possible without overselling it? How do I discuss related research? What are the effective ways of presenting my research design? How do I visualize my main results? When do I send out my paper to a scientific journal, and which journal should I target? How do I respond to referee comments? How do I write a referee report myself? In this course, Ph.D. students will develop answers to these and related practical questions through in-class discussions of well-written applied economic research papers from all fields of applied economics. In addition, the course involves a few small take-home assignments in-between course weeks, which are optimally suited for Ph.D. students working on a draft of one of their projects, either in the early or later phase. The colloquia will provide opportunities to discuss these writing samples and visualizations. Finally, short introductory lectures will summarize key insights from the surprisingly voluminous literature on writing and publishing in economics.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
DR
Frequency
Every two years

Examination

Type
ungraded semester performance
Students are expected to hand in small assignments in-between classes and to contribute to in-class discussions. The final assignment is to write an introduction of a research paper, optimally our own.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
seminar Writing and Publishing Research Papers in Applied Economics
Block course
  • 15.02 Date 14:15-18:00 (HG E 33.1)
  • 22.02 Date 14:15-18:00 (IFW C 42)
  • 01.03 Date 14:15-18:00 (IFW C 42)
  • 08.03 Date 14:15-18:00 (IFW C 42)
  • 22.03 Date 14:15-18:00 (IFW C 42)
20 h semesterly

Offered In